Cal's defense should test high-scoring Oregon

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, February 9, 2002

Cal coach Ben Braun didn't need to be a psychic in taking a look at what the immediate future holds for his basketball team.

"It's going to be a heck of a game," Braun said, contemplating No. 13 Oregon's visit to Haas Pavilion this evening.

One doesn't have to be a psychic -- or even a coach for that matter -- to see the potential in this matchup.

The Bears (16-5, 7-4) come into the game with the Pac-10's top-ranked defense, holding opponents to 62.5 points per game, fewest for Cal since the shot clock was introduced in 1985. The Ducks (17-6, 9-3) lead the conference in offense, averaging 85.6 points per game.

"We've been a team that learned the value of defensive patience," Braun said. "It's also something you have to do on the offensive end."

With six teams in contention in the Pac-10, the game has added importance. Oregon shares first place with Arizona; Cal shares fifth with Stanford, 1 1/2 games behind the leaders.

The Ducks defeated Cal 76-72 at McArthur Court in Eugene on Jan. 10 in the first meeting. The Bears were ahead in the second half and didn't give up the lead until the final 3 1/2 minutes -- a factor that Braun said should give the Bears a confidence boost.

Oregon guard Frederick Jones reacts late in the second half against Stanford, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 in Stanford, Calif. Stanford beat Oregon 90-87 in overtime. Jones was Oregon's top scorer with 36 points. (AP ... more

Photo: PAUL SAKUMA

Cal's defense should test high-scoring Oregon

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"I hope so," Braun said.

He said he also hopes that the Bears will be able to compensate for the loss of Dennis Gates, the team's leader on defense who is expected to be out until the final home series of the season with a partially torn ligament in his right wrist.

This time, Cal will have center Solomon Hughes, who missed the game in Eugene with a strained right knee, Braun said. "We'll take the good with the bad," he said.

Joe Shipp, who averages 15 points and scored a team-high 18 in the Bear's 73-58 victory against Oregon State on Thursday, had 24 points, a career high in Pac-10 play, in the loss at Eugene.

The Ducks, coming off a 90-87 overtime loss to Stanford, are led by Frederick Jones, who averages 17.6 points and equaled his career high with 36 points in the loss to the Cardinal on Thursday. He scored 22 in the first game against Cal.

Cal, 14-1 at Haas this season, is 2-3 against ranked opponents -- with victories against Stanford and USC and losses to Stanford, Arizona and UCLA.

"There's a lot to gain, there's a lot out there," Braun said. "Anytime you can play a game that can put you near first place, it's big."